On pgs 162-163, Dr. Moalem explains how epigenetics plays a role
in birth defects. The earlier epigenetic signals are transmitted, the more
significant the potential changes are in the fetus. So scientists have
discovered that the most critical period are the few first days after
conception. For example, if a newly pregnant mother spends the first weeks of
her pregnancy eating junk food, the embryo may receive signals that its going
to be born into a harsh environment where critical food types are scarce. In
response, certain genes are turned on and off and the baby is born small to
compensate for the lack of food it needs to survive. This relates to Big Idea 4:
Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess
complex properties. There is an interaction between the environment (what the
mother is consuming) and the living organism (the fetus), which results in the
movement of matter (epigenetic signals).
The Barker Hypothesis is an example phenotype is the physical
expression of your genotype.
Using pgs 162-163, explain his hypothesis correlates with
epigenetics and birth defects. Also, using information from earlier units and
pgs 162-163, explain why the first days after conception are most imperative.
Finally, name some of the implications of epigenetics using pgs 162-163 and
furthering research online
Submitted by Josh Baker (jbaker3@students.d125.org)
